A dull, tired complexion - we've all been there. Especially during the transition from winter to spring, your skin can look grey and lifeless. The solution? A combination of two powerful ingredients: vitamin C and a good peeling. Together, they remove dead skin cells and restore your skin's natural glow.
But with so many products on the market, which ones are truly worth it? And where do you get the best price? We did the research and compared the most popular products at Belgian online pharmacies.
Why vitamin C works so well for your skin
Vitamin C - or ascorbic acid - is one of the best-studied ingredients in skincare. It's a powerful antioxidant that neutralises free radicals, stimulates collagen production, and reduces hyperpigmentation. The result? More even, firmer, and brighter skin.
But vitamin C works even better when combined with regular exfoliation. By removing dead skin cells, vitamin C can penetrate deeper into the skin and work more effectively.
Chemical vs. physical peeling: what's the difference?
Physical scrubs
These contain small granules that you massage over your skin. Advantage: immediately visible results. Disadvantage: scrubbing too hard can cause micro-damage.
Chemical peelings
These use acids (AHA, BHA, or PHA) to dissolve the bonds between dead skin cells. Glycolic acid and lactic acid are the best-known AHAs. They work more evenly than physical scrubs.
The best products compared
1. RoC Multi Correxion Revive + Glow Gel Cream - 50ml
This gel cream from RoC combines vitamin C with glycolic acid for a double glow effect. Its light texture is ideal as a day cream.
Price: €24.99 - €40.04 across 5 pharmacies Save up to €15.05!
Compare prices for RoC Revive + Glow
2. Caudalie Vinoperfect Glycolic Peeling Mask - 75ml
With glycolic acid as the active ingredient, this peeling mask dissolves dead cells while nourishing the skin. Use 1-2 times per week.
Price: €7.65 - €24.03 across 2 pharmacies Save up to €16.38!
Compare prices for Caudalie Glycolic Peeling Mask
3. La Roche-Posay Pure Vitamin C Light
La Roche-Posay is THE pharmacy brand. Their Pure Vitamin C serum contains 10% pure vitamin C, ideal for normal to combination skin.
Price: €26.36 - €37.29 across 2 pharmacies Save up to €10.93!
Compare prices for La Roche-Posay Pure Vitamin C
4. Filorga Oxygen-Glow Cream - 50ml
The Oxygen-Glow cream combines enzymes, hyaluronic acid, and a detox complex for an oxygen boost.
Price: €40.50 - €68.80 across 2 pharmacies Save up to €28.30!
Compare prices for Filorga Oxygen-Glow
5. Clinique Exfoliating Scrub
A safe choice for sensitive skin. Their scrub is gentle but effective.
Price: €27.95 - €40.00 across 3 pharmacies Save up to €12.05!
Compare prices for Clinique Exfoliating Scrub
How to use vitamin C and peeling together
- Evening: Start with your peeling (1-2x per week)
- Morning: Apply your vitamin C serum or cream
- Always: Use sun protection (SPF 30+)
Where to buy at the best price?
Price differences between Belgian online pharmacies can be surprisingly large. The Filorga Oxygen-Glow shows a gap of €28.30 between the cheapest and most expensive pharmacy!
At PharmaCompare, we compare prices daily at Viata, Farmaline, and Medi-Market.